1972 Weekend

Satuday, May 19, 1972
A good rest - from 11pm (Matt & Tom) – Dad was up to 12 reading Horgon’s “White Water.” He locked a wayward deer mouse in the front room & left a trap for him. In a.m., Mr. Mouse was in the trap! Number 3 so far. 63 degrees outdoors at 7 am and 65 degrees indoors. Flock of Canada honkers swim in the pack ice and hymn us an early compline! Our buckets of ice only 1/2 melted in refrig. Girls down for more to chill wine and root beer for arrival of Mom, etc. & Vizanko’s for cookout. Hot chocolate and donuts for breakfast.
Later:
The canoe was hauled down the beach at noon – at the behest of Muriel Anne & son John. They promptly took off 1/4 mile out to pack ice – where “weird and spooky noises” abounded – but no flies –from our 80 degree shore-side temp. They saw a very large fish – rise, roll a hunk of ice and flash the 18” end of a gray tail fin that impressed them. John thought of sturgeon, Muriel of whale. Later Dad made same run with Mom – but no repeat – except for ice and Canada Honker noises - way out. The Vizanko’s brought “again as much” food – Ethel consumed 1/2 gallon on Chablis while Tom and Dad silently abstained (Christians!) A good time had by all. Tom is champ stone skipper – claiming unique Pole and Finn physiology--- Dad is horseshoe champ --- claiming unique luck at short stakes! Dad stays on with six kids – Bart, Matt, Shelagh & Mary Pavolvich –Carrie and Annie --- overnight!! Ma may come out with Mary to canoe tomorrow.

Sunday, May 20, 1972
Up at 7am- after Jiffy Pop bed at 11pm — Dad reversed windows. Bart bashed tree 7x on new Tarzan swing Dad & John hung in ravine yesterday. Dad & 6 had jolly breakfast – then unwintered the big boat & went trolling among 1,000 ice floes – on hearsay that coaster Salmon, Browns, Lakers & Rainbows are being taken off Black River Breakwall. Annie & Carrie tried, Bart, Mary, Shelagh, Matt & Dad tried – no takers. Mom & Kate came out – followed later by Wayne Smiths & daughters & dog. We cooked out on beach – dragged boat over snow and mounted it for summer. Later the Vizanko’s, 2 daughters & their Detroit fisherman guest (Bill Alexander) came for another go at horseshoe. Those two took Dad and Wayne Smith 3 games to 2. They added beer to our wine list – a good afternoon for all. Mom & gang home at 6 --- we clean up & go at 7 p.m. Weather lovely most of day – some cold and drafts off Lake ice – but 60 – 75 degree holds and mostly sun with little wind.